Habit of washing hands

Do you know the correct handwashing steps to follow? Handwashing is a great start to keep germs away. Read through this article to help your child imbibe this healthy habit.

By
Virgina Jacob

A handmade clay doll, a dirty little pebble, a mud-drenched play ball – just a few of the many goodies a child brings back home. But, with them come the unwelcome guests in the form of disease-yielding germs. Yes, it is never easy to stop your child from the muddy world outside. It can get more difficult when he does not pay heed to your repeated calls to wash his hands or take a shower.

Handwashingis the primary defence mechanism against germs. It is by far the most effective way to keep children from falling sick. When your child comes in contact with disease-prone germs, she inadvertently becomes a germ-carrier. All it takes is a touch. Coming in contact with infected eyes, nose, mouth, hands or even sharing the same breathing space can prove damaging. One member infected is all it takes for the entire family to be dragged down by the same bug. Dirty hands have the potential to become the root cause of many ailments.

Dirty hands are dangerous hands

“Children need to be taught that washing hands is the best way to avoid ailments like a runny nose, bad throat, tummy aches and even itchy skin. Get your child to think about all the things they touched during the day — from the toilet to telephone, and then teach them how they might have caught millions of germs through these contacts. Parents should instil an element of fun while teaching their children the importance of keeping their hands clean. I strongly believe that every parent should lead by example," opines Dr Pooja Bhriegu, Chief Paediatrician and Director, Bhriegu Maternity Hospital, Raipur.

Although the WHO and other health bodies around the world have been stressing on handwashing for the last 200 years, it took an outbreak of the dreaded Ebola to come as the wake-up call. Hand hygiene has come to life again.

Most effective preventive measure

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set off on a massive Swachh Bharat Abhiyan drive and one of the important elements of the campaign is handwashing. As Modi indicated, no amount of social initiative will suffice unless the urge to keep clean becomes our core value. To drive home this message, he has urged parents to inculcate the habit of washing hands right from toddler years. The Prime Minister’s initiative is being hailed as a step in the right direction.

"Healthy living and hygienic habits are a lifestyle choice that everyone must make. We should recognise that as a country that's becoming increasingly progressive, Modi's initiative is commendable. As far as washing hands is concerned, it is the most basic and most effective preventive measure. Over 65 per cent of infections can be countered through the simple act of washing hands. However, overdoing it is also not advisable as it can rip the skin off moisture and lower our inbuilt immunity," says Dr Manoj Beno, Medical Director of Billroth Hospitals, Chennai.

The hands-on verdict

As a parent, you can set an example by practising what you preach. Good washing habits can eradicate diseases even before they manifest. In our crusade against the relentless invasion of germs and viruses, the most effective solution is ironically the simplest too. Go, get your child to enjoy handwashing. All you need is soap and water, and plenty of intent. After all, you’d be the happiest person if your household is the healthiest.

How to handwash

This step-by-step instruction will help you maximise the goodness of washing hands:

Wet your hands with clean running water

Lather up with soap, preferably an anti-bacterial

Scrub your fingers and nails

Scrub the inside of your palm for a minimum of 20 seconds

Rinse thoroughly

Pat dry with a clean towel

Always carry purse sanitizer to keep germs at bay

When to handwash

Ensure your child washes hands with soap:

Before and after every meal

Before and after using the restroom

Before holding an infant

Before and after shaking hands with someone who’s sick

Before and after treating cuts, abrasions or wounds

After outdoor playtime

After visiting the hospital, though a shower is more advisable here

After soiling his hands in the mud

After blowing his nose, coughing or sneezing

After playing and cuddling with pets

After using public transport

Only if everyone washed hands

Just 77 per cent of men washed their hands, compared to 93 per cent of women.